Notice to an anonymous neighbor

 

Rycke Brown, Natural Gardener

1415 SW Bridge Street

Grants Pass, Oregon 97526

541-955-9040

rycke@gardener.com

 

June 28, 2026

To the neighbor who zip-tied a very well-done laminated notice about what should be brought to the Bridge Street sharing shelf. 

 Your notice had several flaws.  It was anonymous and unauthorized, so I can’t address you directly, and people would think I wrote it.  Therefore, I am posting it and my reply on Nextdoor.

 I agree with most of it, but the idea that we do not welcome “sofas and large furniture” is wrong.  We never had to bring any large furniture, including mattresses, from our curb to the dump.  Some people have done it for us.  It makes them feel good to help us out.  In the last month or so, we had three separate deliveries of couches and other furniture.

 The first couch was in very good shape, apart from a bit of grime around the bottom, but someone took the center cushion, and it took 3 weeks for a nice couple to take it to the dump.  The second was a sectional couch, which was taken within a few days.  The third was another sectional couch, which went within an hour.  Free stuff goes fast.  I took in a nice, comfy chair with a little grime that fits my short legs nicely. 

 Large wooden furniture and glass-top tables tend to go quickly.  Some people take such items even when a drawer or shelves are missing, so they can fix them and sell them at their own yard sale or whatever.

What is really irritating is small trash: appliances without necessary parts; toys missing parts; torn clothes; worn out or single shoes and boots; books without covers; and obviously littering of our shelf and curb.  Dirty clothes, I take in to wash.  If stains don’t come out, I toss them in the trash. There is one person who persists in dropping plastic confetti around the shelf, apparently just to make me pick it up.  I have to pick up small stuff so as not to allow litter to build up.

 People are either orderly or disorderly in their habits.  The disorderly will always be with us, but they are a small minority.  Some people like to help maintain a good idea and should not be deprived of the opportunity.  I am grateful for everyone who helps.

Sincerely yours,

Rycke